Consecrate
To make or declare something sacred; to dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose, often through a ceremony.
verbConsecrate
To make or declare something sacred; to dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose, often through a ceremony.
verbImagine This
Imagine a solemn ceremony where a priest raises a gleaming chalice and proclaims it sacred, then places it on an altar with the community declaring it for holy use alone.
Sounds Like
KON-suh-kreyt
Looks Like
Visually resembles related terms like consecration and sacred; shares the root idea of sacredness.
Remember This
Etymology traces to Latin consecrare ('to make sacred'), from sacer ('sacred'). The word is closely related to sanctify and hallow; its opposite is desecrate.
Other Forms
Connect With
hallow, sanctify, bless, dedicate, devote; antonym: desecrate
Note
Used primarily in religious contexts but can be metaphorical (to consecrate a day, a mission, or memory). Distinguish from 'desecrate' (to profane) and avoid misuse as simply 'bless' in secular contexts.
Study Deeper
- The chapel was consecrated by the bishop in a solemn rite.
- They vowed to consecrate their lives to helping others.
From Latin consecrare 'to make sacred', from sacer 'sacred'; con- (together/with) + sacred root; English adoption through ecclesiastical usage.
Mnemonic: With the sacred, create. Remember that consecrate means to set apart or dedicate something for sacred use; picture people coming together to seal and dedicate a sacred object.
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Intricate
adjectiveVery complicated or detailed; having many interrelated parts.
Demonstrative
adjectiveserving to indicate or point out something; in grammar, relating to how words like this, that, these, and those modify or replace nouns; also used to describe a person who openly expresses emotions
Compromise
verbTo settle differences by making concessions during negotiation; or to expose to risk or harm by allowing protections, standards, or integrity to be weakened.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.